sailed 4.7 and 95 freewave, Alex used 5.2 and 104ish freestyle, Rob was 5.9. 
small local windwaves around low tide, steady warm se winds.  saw alex
waterstart out of a forward loop going out and also a nice flaka(he said) on the
inside.. Best wishes, john in jupiter

was decent side-on in the afternoon. Was side off and strong earlier in the day.
Interesting bit of wx behavior. It was side-on and somewhat puffy.  Yet, the
dunes/shore made the wind fill in a pick up enough for Jim and I to want to stay
within 1/4 to 1/2 mile of the beach.  It was side on only by 20 degrees or so
and was way more solid the closer we got to the "impact zone."  Surf was knee
high and smaller at low tide.

Still, it was great to get the workout and fresh air.

I've got to start sailing Playa with you John and get away from Cherie Down. 
Yesterday, there weren't many waves to speak of but the wind was side-shore
early morning and then shifted side-on-shore.  I was practicing my Gybes in
front of the waves catching a few small rides here and there with my longboard. 
The problem with Cherie is that it gets CROWDED by 10:30.  The lifeguard was
also giving me dirty looks even though I did my best to stay out of his narrow
protection zone.

--- In ecfw@yahoogroups.com, johni952004 <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> was decent side-on in the afternoon. Was side off and strong earlier in the
day.  Interesting bit of wx behavior. It was side-on and somewhat puffy.  Yet,
the dunes/shore made the wind fill in a pick up enough for Jim and I to want to
stay within 1/4 to 1/2 mile of the beach.  It was side on only by 20 degrees or
so and was way more solid the closer we got to the "impact zone."  Surf was knee
high and smaller at low tide.
>
> Still, it was great to get the workout and fresh air.
>

State cracking down on boats

BY MARK DeCOTIS • FLORIDA TODAY • April 11, 2009

Brevard County is one of nine areas in Florida that will have derelict boats removed from its waters over the next three months.

The others are Dade, Duval, Escambia, Franklin, Hillsborough, Monroe, Nassau and Pinellas counties.

The Legislature appropriated $1.55 million to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove derelict vessels from public waterways. Removal is prioritized according to public safety, navigational hazards and environmental hazards, respectively. The state hopes to remove 97 vessels by June 30.

Derelict vessels create safety and navigational hazards and dump pollutants into the water.

"This is a public safety issue," Lt. David Dipre, state derelict vessel coordinator, said in a news release. "Some of these vessels are hidden at the surface of the water and are just waiting to be struck by an unsuspecting boater. Other derelict vessels, or parts of them, can drift into channels, causing another kind of hazard."

Dipre travels the state, evaluating the derelict vessel situation on coastlines and inland waterways. He trains other FWC officers to recognize and investigate derelict vessels. Once a boat is identified as derelict, commission officers attach a notice to the vessel and launch an investigation. Owners are notified they must remove the vessel.

It's not uncommon for owners to scratch or sand registration numbers from a vessel's hull to make the boat untraceable.

Owners, or in some cases whomever last possessed the vessel, who fail to heed commission notices can be prosecuted under Florida Statute 823.11(4), a first-degree misdemeanor, and may have to pay a civil penalty to cover the cost of the removal. On occasion, the owner or person who last possessed the boat may face a felony charge if the state determines the boat was intentionally dumped.

Also, officers can put a hold on an owner's driver's license and registration renewal for other vehicles if they refuse to comply.

The New York Times recently reported that the bad economy has exacerbated the problem with boat owners abandoning their vessels at increasing rates.

sse winds got too windy for my 4.7 but hung on anyway, Rob was 5.9 and planing
immediately and wildly, combined with his huge frame, if he was even he was
leavin. small local wave was breaking constantly knee to waist high on the
breaks, tried a bunch of minibackloops, got two to fully rotate but was too
overpowered to handle the landings.. iwindsurf showed the winds blowing from
1-7pm and howling from 3-5:30pm. ruc model had us expecting to be sailing. Best
wishes, john in jupiter

ne swell being crossed by se winds? sounds like down the line to me...

monday shows winds increasing throughout the day everywhere from a sideon se
angle to closer to sideshore sse late in the day. it also shows increasing
strength later in the day(north of the cape to the florida border roars first,
but everyhwere possible). there could be some kind of ne chop/short period swell
crossing it, possibly better at further south locations(as it heads south), this
seems to come from ne winds just offshore today.

Next saturday is showing a much better ne swell and increasing se winds.. :) 
but a long way off, could be good or nothing.

wave model is a day old and there is no consistency yet but there is hope for
more sweet down the line conditions this spring..

going unmentioned until now, the last two days were perfect forward loop
conditions(i think), and i chickened out completely, however i have started
construction of my simulator, the rig part is finished(lower half mast, boom and
rope perimeter), my first board attempt failed and am weighing options for a
board and then a place to hang it so we can gently rotate around and see if that
helps get over the otherwise daunting mental barrier..  Best wishes, john in
jupiter

"going unmentioned until now, the last two days were perfect forward loop conditions(i think), and i chickened out completely, however i have started construction of my simulator, the rig part is finished(lower half mast, boom and rope perimeter), my first board attempt failed and am weighing options for a board and then a place to hang it so we can gently rotate around and see if that helps get over the otherwise daunting mental barrier.. Best wishes, john in jupiter"

Speaking of FWD Loop Simulators, have you seen this thread http://forums.windsurfingmag.com/showthread.php?t=882

Of course you will need some visual motivation to keep working on that simulator http://forums.windsurfingmag.com/showthread.php?t=704

Hi,

I had a window of opportunity Sunday morning. The NE winds had just started to
establish at Jx Beach. It was nice and sunny, fairly flat and 8-12. Slapped my
11.0 on the Black Machine and did a "RonKern wannabee" session going from 25th
av South all the way upwind to Hanna Park and back. Not quite the 50-milers Ron
puts under his belt but a good 14 mile return trip nonetheless! It was just
perfect on 11.0 flying off the fin and averaging around 20mph over the 7 miles
downwinder.
When I cam back it had picked-up and the kiters were starting to come out. I'm
sure they had a blast later.

Outstanding day out there, just pure sailing working the chop and the wind
endlessly.

Best regards.
Vincent.

A month ago I was asking $550...now I'll take $300 obo.  The sail is practically
brand-new having been used 5-6 times.  The sail rigs on a 490cm mast.

To be honest, I just dont like the sail (some salesman I am).  I sail a Kona
most of the time and I want an Aerotech Zenith 9.0 to race and sail leisurely. 
I dont think the Retro is good for my Kona.  Help me out...buy this sail.

I'll have the sail at the Windfest this weekend if anyone wants to check it out.

This is the last email, I promise.  I'll put it on consignment at Sandy Point if
no one wants it.

Scott

Sweet session.  sailed 5.4, at first it was overpowered(then i downhauled). 
Local close together(shorter period)north swell/wave sets(waist to headhigh)
were coming through the ese windwave, winds were perfect side onshore allowing
either pointing out or running almost parallel to shore, coming in was similar
allowing an angle almost straight up the beach.. with the north waves pushing
upwind.. got upwind easy and had to try and find a set wave to ride in each time
to get back downwind, break was working well with outside to inside rides and
multiple peaks, one sweet ride had three nice bottom turn bowls then a couple
more middle hits and then two more breaking lip moments on the inside.

Being overpowered early seemed to get me in the groove for when it lightened up,
i had the wind angle and swell figured out, and was able to keep planing and get
a bunch of waverides.. Rob came out but he slogged and didn't seem to get in
sync..   it was kinda like the babypool today with a wave definitely big enough
to push you but not enough to wash anything away.  also swell with winds
crossing it is always greatly appreciated by a floridawavesailor..

Tuesday looks to howl sse in jupiter.
Friday's ne winds and swell arriving.
Saturday has swell and lighter e-ese winds
Sunday leftover swell and se winds.

Best wishes, john in jupiter

Windfest at Calema this weekend, and the Stuart Spring Fling next weekend!  go
to http://www.mauimalones.com/racing.html for more info

This is the email I got from Tihno at Calema...about windfest

Just a reminder the the Florida Windfest is this coming weekend, April 18 and
19. Registration at 10:00 am, first race at 12:00. Hosted again by the fine
folks of Sandy Point Progressive Sports and Calema Windsurfing and Watersports.
More updates on http://www.calema.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=542


-- In ecfw@yahoogroups.com, "rmr20657" <rmr20657@...> wrote:
>
> Windfest at Calema this weekend, and the Stuart Spring Fling next weekend!  go
to http://www.mauimalones.com/racing.html for more info
>

For sail and board tuning tips, and a demo come on by the Aerotech Trailer at
Kelly Park.

BTW, looks like Friday may be a great day to try a sesh at Jetty Park.  Annual
passes for Brevard residents is very inexpensive, should you come by give the
waves a go and catch the stoke.  BTW, I'll be happy to demo my Kona 11'5 for a
first sesh in the surf too.

Cheers

John I

For sail and board tuning tips, and a demo come on by the Aerotech Trailer at
Kelly Park.

BTW, looks like Friday may be a great day to try a sesh at Jetty Park.  Annual
passes for Brevard residents is very inexpensive, should you come by give the
waves a go and catch the stoke.  BTW, I'll be happy to demo my Kona 11'5 for a
first sesh in the surf too.

Cheers

John I

winds did not behave as expected... sailed 4.2 from approx. 10-11am, it was
windy as we rigged and blasted around for a bit, winds were offshore near shore
some and faded off.  Rick was powered up well early as well, Rob showed up for
the lull(we saw him blazing a few brief moments on the outside, almost tricked
Rick back out).. waves were smaller(still a few worthy funsize sets of leftover
ne swell), tide was coming in and it all just kinda fizzled and made leaving
somewhat easy.. Best wishes, john in jupiter

Kiri does a kono  http://www.continentseven.com/windsurfmove1702.html My guess, it's done by PFM...what do you think?

BTW windsurfers outnumbered kiters 3 to 1 this Monday at Scurrah's landing...15 windsurfers - 5 kiters.

Take a look at this, windsurfing around Cape Horn http://forums.windsurfingmag.com/showthread.php?p=3324#post3324

All you wave wannabes may have a chance this Friday at Jetty Park... if the forecast comes true, conditions should be perfect for some mellow wave sailing 101.

Oh that's easy.  I was working on those today in Jacksonville while it was
blowing 60.  Well, the blowing 60 part is true.

Really though - wtf is that?  I was really happy when I tacked my shortboard at
Kelly Park the other day.  Now that I way over 170, my 92 liter fish sinks past
my knees.  Dammit man...

--- In ecfw@yahoogroups.com, "Clyde" <clydepeggy@...> wrote:
>
>
> Kiri does a kono  http://www.continentseven.com/windsurfmove1702.html
> <http://www.continentseven.com/windsurfmove1702.html>  My guess, it's
> done by PFM...what do you think?
>
> BTW windsurfers outnumbered kiters 3 to 1 this Monday at Scurrah's
> landing...15 windsurfers - 5 kiters.
>
> Take a look at this, windsurfing around Cape Horn
> http://forums.windsurfingmag.com/showthread.php?p=3324#post3324
> <http://forums.windsurfingmag.com/showthread.php?p=3324#post3324>
>
> All you wave wannabes may have a chance this Friday at Jetty Park... if
> the forecast comes true, conditions should be perfect for some mellow
> wave sailing 101.
>

Wx guessers were certainly off the mark.  I got to Jetty Park, CC about 2:30pm.
It had been blowing very hard earlier.  Up to 47 knots or so.  It was 12-20. 
Rigged a 5.5 and used my Cross 106.  Fun stuff, SSW to SW at Jetty.  Not many
consider it, but can be doable.

Wind started galing, I held on for another hour.  It was a trifle less on the
inside, during wave rides, so I kept disbelieving it would stay up.  Finally
rigged to a 4.7, flattened and it was easily touching 50 in the gusts, but avg
was more like 30.  Waves went from shin slappers to knee to even waist high. 
Got some terrific cut backs and a couple fun aerials.

Wind started to taper, so I noticed right away how much I dislike my small sails
that flat.  Undid the tensions, and had some more fun.  Wind started to hammer
again, but I kept my sail fuller and did not suffer much by keeping it so.  Flat
does not feel very good to me using skinny masts.  Validated that yet again
yesterday.

that site let me click on the bottom bar that shows where the movie is along the
horizontal line...and clicking on the line moves it to the next
freezeframe(still picture) so you can slowly go through a move either way at
your leisure.. certainly that moves starts with a planing duck tack, except that
a normal duck tack you switch your feet first then go to the other side of the
sail but amazingly(or youthfully) he just stays in his straps but his body faces
opposite, my cat can do that, out of respect for my aging body i probably won't
be trying that.. i had focused on that move earlier in a samba windsurfing
freestyle video, they are doing so much crazy good stuff, and seeing Alex in
person doing a move or two, it is even more impressive in person..  i quickly
found that i am afraid of buckling my board on landing some of those moves, i
can pop well but some require close to a flat landing(flaka), i'm sure they both
break boards and also have keys for landing soft so they don't, but also there
is increased risk of wacking the front and rails of the board with such
challenging moves.. so in deference to my gear i will make haste slowly on this
freestyle...

    oh, flat sails are funky in a not good way, rarely they help when it is too
windy but even then a bit of shape seems better.. sail design affects it too, my
core has shape(curve in the battens) but my zone the battens lie flat even with
some bag, and the zone has a much greater high end, it is flat without actually
being flat..  Best wishes, john in jupiter

15 or so windsurfers. Wind was side on and puffy: say 10-22.  Waveswere best
near high tide: max I was on was about head high.  Good times.

Photos at   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecfw/photos/album/79133891/pic/list  Want a copy of the original file? Let me know...

sailed sunday morning from 10-12, mostly pointed out not planing in sideonshore
se winds, then picked a decent set wave on the outside and rode it in, a few
rides were nice with powered bottom turns and worthy peaks to hit.  Best wishes,
john in jupiter

'Nuth'n better than driving to the beach and hoping just to get planing and
catching a few waves, only to find it's blowing sand and there is still a decent
leftover swell from the previous days.
Scored the 4-hr 20-25 kn sesh at Jupiter this afternoon giving the New Simmer
Icon 5.9 a real test. I starting out with some blasting runs on the Fanatic
FW113TE, then switched to the Mistral twinzer 92 for some top-turn slides and
wicked tight wave-catching jibes

just after lunch, and built slowly throughout the day.  9.0'still worked, but
only for larger or more experienced sailors. 7.5's and mid 6's started working
fine after award ceremony.  Typical racing day.  Wind gets good after the races
:~)

Results on this link

http://www.aerotechsails.com/forumpage.html

2009 Florida Windfest Recap – By Ron Kern                         here for more pictures

The complete guide to the 2009 Florida Windfest reporting http://forums.windsurfingmag.com/showthread.php?p=3347#post3347

When the ocean suddenly became "Lake Atlantic" two Sundays ago, and the finals of the 45th Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival were wiped out, whispers of a proposed artificial reef again floated to the shoreline

The once ballyhooed, but lately almost forgotten, proposal to build a $5.7 million reef just south of Cocoa Beach Pier would not have helped create even the 18-inch ripples required for the pro longboard finals.

"I don't know if that would have helped us," said contest co-owner Dick Catri of Melbourne Beach. "Even with an artificial reef, you need a little swell action."

Catri points out it would have "made a big difference" had there been just a 2-foot swell far offshore.

"It would magnify it," he said. "Generally, a 2-foot swell would translate to a
3- or 4-foot wave."

The idea of the V-shaped reef -- comprised of sand-filled bags or limestone -- is now being considered in Volusia County.

"It is a novel idea," Cocoa Beach mayor Skip Beeler said. "But the costs are so high, it's hard to justify. It might bring in more tourism, but the surf in Cocoa Beach is iffy (all year). In these economic times, with falling real estate values and struggling incomes, I think it's dead, as far (as the taxpayers) of the city of Cocoa Beach."

Surfer Jake Kirschenbaum lives on the Cocoa Beach coastline, and he and 15 others had to split the $2,000 purse ($125 each) when the pro shortboard finals were canceled because of flat waves.

"It was probably one of the worst conditions we've ever had," he said.

A few years ago at the East Coast Surfing Championships in Virginia Beach, Kirschenbaum and fellow Cocoa Beach surfer Sean O'Hare were on hand to see a U.S. Coast Guard boat and some parasailing boats plow back and forth to stimulate wave action.

"It didn't do a whole lot," O'Hare laughed.

The reef wouldn't have helped two weekends ago.

"The way Cocoa Beach is situated, and the way the Cape juts out, any north swell usually zaps around us and heads to Jupiter or even the Miami area," Kirschenbaum said. "I've got friends in Miami who wait until the cruise ships come into the port and they can ride the waves they create in to the shore."

The artificial reef idea also has put doubts in the minds of conservationists.

Although a reported study by Coastal Tech predicts the reef would prevent about 17,000 cubic yards of beach erosion annually, not everyone is sold on the idea.

"I have mixed feelings," said Tony Sasso, who was a Cocoa Beach commissioner when the idea first surfaced. "As a surfer and a member of the Surfrider organization, I realize everybody wants a bigger and better break. But my job was to look at every angle, and what does it mean to the environment. To prevent erosion, you'd need it the length of the beach. And, it's not going to create waves, just enhance them."

Kirschenbaum also is a little leery.

"It'd be really cool, because it would give the area more sea life, and make it more vibrant, with a bigger array of fish and sea turtles," he said. "But, unless there's a really good swell, I'd have my doubts," he said.

"Then again, if it worked, it probably would be overcrowded and maybe too popular. It wouldn't sound like a premier spot for me to surf with a bunch of tourists."

For now, Cocoa Beach surfers will let nature dictate the conditions...

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090421/SPORTS01/904210328/1002/SPORTS

Folks,

Wondering if anyone has advice for a low-wind, big-sail board for the local,
flatish water conditions and a recreational sailor?  I'm looking at either a
formula board, or a Starboard iSonic 150 right now, but just in the initial
stages.  The Starboard folks think the large iSonic would be better because
would have less of a learning curve and be more appropriate for recreational
sailing.

Anyway, any inputs y'all might have would be really appreciated.

Jim